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Company Description

Ravinia® is both North America’s longest-running not-for-profit music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events by a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers make up a typical summer season on our two open-air and two indoor stages. Each year, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is featured in six weeks of concerts, many with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. During the same summer months, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute provides young professional classical and jazz musicians with career-advancing training and concert settings.Offstage and year-round, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs engage 50,000 children and adults in schools with little to no music curriculum, in our Chicagoland communities, and at our 36-acre park, in our mission to make music equitably accessible to all.

Job Description

The Teaching Artist (MDP) will report to the Director of Teaching and Learning, Reach Teach Play, and play a key role in providing music residencies in schools. The successful candidate will be energetic, passionate about teaching, and comfortable collaborating with classroom teachers in designing, planning, and implementing creative music residencies for Kindergarten through 3rd-grade students. The Teaching Artist will teach basic music concepts through musical activities and songs in anticipation of a culminating presentation at the end of the residency, showcasing what the students learned.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Introduce musical concepts in weekly lessons by integrating them into the classroom curriculum once a week through 15, 10 & 5-week residencies

2. Teach students to sing songs and play simple rhythm instruments

3. Collaborate with classroom teachers to design, plan, and implement residency unit and musical lessons

4. Coordinate a culminating presentation at the school at the end of the residency featuring students singing, dancing (movement), and playing instruments (rhythm sticks, boom whackers, percussion)

5. Lead the students in a performance/presentation at the Ravinia Days end-of-year festival at Ravinia

6. Attend and participate in the 3-day Teacher and Artist Professional Development Institute (August 5-7, 2025), the two 90-minute workshops during the school year, and any additional Teaching Artist meetings, activities, and rehearsals (compensation provided for all events)

7. Conduct student assessments at the beginning and end of school residencies.

8. Create music charts & demos of songs taught in residency for house band musicians to accompany students.

Knowledge and Skills Required

1. Strong background in music education and music performance.

2. Strong singer with an understanding of young vocal ranges and abilities

3. Passionate about working with Kindergarten-3rd grade students and classroom teachers in under-resourced communities.

4. Comfortable collaborating with classroom teachers, students, and other musicians.

5. Basic understanding of K-3rd grade children’s developmental levels (5-8 years old)

6. Demonstrate good judgment and professionalism in all interactions.

7. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with educators, school administrators, students, and Ravinia staff.

8. Able to create audio/video demos for the students to practice along with.

9. Creative thinker, flexible and adaptive, able to learn and incorporate new strategies.

10. Organized and punctual.

11. Must have reliable transportation.

Education and Experience

1. Professional performing musician (All genres welcome)

2. College degree or equivalent field experience in music education or performance

3. Ability to read music

4. Experience teaching music or performing for young children

5. Experience working in a public school elementary classroom setting is a plus

Work Environment

1. The Teaching Artist will work during the school day in general classrooms from kindergarten to 3rd grade at assigned Chicago Public Elementary School(s) located within the city boundaries.

2. The successful candidate will be required to embrace and actively support Reach Teach Play’s guiding principles of transformation, quality, equity, connection, and meaningful musical experiences.

Compensation & Benefits

$70 per hour for classroom instructional time, $50 per hour for non-instructional time (meetings, professional development, rehearsals), and $200 per performance

Eligible for the Illinois Paid Leave Plan

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. We strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.